BTL Endorsed: Jeremy Moss, State Rep 35th District

As the youngest of the Southfield City Council Members, Moss, 28, is ready to serve Michigan even further by being elected as the 35th District House Representative. During his time at Michigan State University, Moss studied abroad in South Africa. While there, he learned about the political and social history of the nation that grew from apartheid towards democracy and worked with a pioneer group of students to establish a Children's Center to assist at-risk children orphaned by HIV/AIDS. Moss has worked in the offices of Mayor Brenda Lawrence and former Rep. Paul Condino. He served as District Director for Rep. Rudy Hobbs and gained a seat on the Southfield City Council in 2011, making him the youngest elected official in Southfield's history.

"We've put together a very winning coalition of community members, the right campaign," Moss said. "We started the campaign a year ago when we put the infrastructure in place. The work won't stop after the Primary. We're going to work to help other Democrats get into the House."

Moss wants to put together an LGBT caucus and has spoken to other legislatures who also want to be a part.

"The state is ready to embrace equality," Moss said. "This is not a partisan divide, it's a generational divide. It'll be easier for the next set of candidates. We've already begun breaking through some barriers."

Moss believes there is a great team of legislatures up in Lansing and wants to see more progress towards equality.

Moss on the Issues: Moss wants to work towards restoring state funding to local communities so that neighborhoods can be maintained and remain safe, as well as fix local roads. He believes in education and wants to protect school funding and ensure every child has access to a quality education. Moss wants to see Michigan get on board with equal rights in passing marriage equality. As a young person, Moss wants Michigan to attract and retain young talent who are going to other states for work and life; he wants to grow a 21st century workplace. He also supports efforts to give unemployed and underemployed residents an opportunity to succeed.

As an openly gay man, Fred Hoffman said, "I really didn't know if there would be an issue." And while he wasn't waving rainbow flags when he was recruited by Chrysler in 1988, he was told being gay wasn't a problem.